Laundry helper



Oct. 14, 1958 FLYNN LAUNDRY HELPER Filed March 12, 1957 Fig.

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Lawrence PM,

INVENTOR United State li atert l 2 Claims. (Cl. fil -228) This invention relates to laundry equipment and more particularly to a portable cart for augmenting conventional laundry apparatus.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a laundry cart having a plurality of shelves and storage compartments whereby substantially every laundry need may be provided in a single device and positioned for ready use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide laundry equipment of the above type wherein a cart is provided with a plurality of individual article receiving compartments and a removable and collapsible umbrella type clothes support that is adapted to be contained within one of the compartments when not in use.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a laundry cart bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture and efficient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a laundry cart made in accordance with the present invention in operative use;

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along line 33 of Figure 2.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, and more particularly to Figure 1 thereof, a cart 10 made in accordance with the present invention is shown to be of substantially rectangular configuration having a frame and depending vertical legs 11. A pair of rear wheels 13 are rotatably supported upon a fixed axle at the rear end of the cart while a pair of caster wheels 14 are rotatably mounted Within the front end of the cart. A lower horizontal shelf 16 provides adequate storage area for various articles, such as sheets, shirts, and the like. An intermediate shelf 17 provides a partial support for an enlarged compartment 18 that has an open top that is arranged flush with the top surface of an upper surface 16. This compartment includes a round bottom tank 19 and a partitioned detergent storage bin 21 and clothespin bin 22. The cover 24 is normally placed in a closed position relative to the compartment 18 when the compartments are not in use, whereby a substantially flat and continuous work surface 25 is available.

A handle 27 is provided at the rear end of the cart, while a retractable longitudinally extending rod 28 may be moved between an extended and a retracted position for supporting shirts, sheets, and the like when desired.

A circular tubular post 30 is secured between the inmediate shelf 17 and the upper shelf or top 25 and it adapted to removably receive the lower end. of an umbrella shaft 31. As is more clearly shown in Figure 1, the umbrella-like device 33 includes a slider 34 that is adjustably mounted upon the shaft 31 by means of a thumb screw 40. The slider 34 is provided with a plurality of holes that are adapted to selectively receive any number of radially outwardly extending ribs 35, as may be required. The top ring 36 is provided with a corresponding number of holes that are adapted to receive one end of a flexible cable 37 that is secured at its opposite end to a fixed bracket 39 intermediate the length of each rib. Thus, the umbrella may be moved from an open position 33 to a closed position 33a by loosening the thumb screw 40 and sliding the slider downwardly along the length of the shaft, whereupon the outer ends of the rib 35 will move upwardly. When not in use, the entire umbrella may be inserted into a downwardly diagonally extending tube 42 in the cart that is provided with a hinged cover 43. Thus, when not needed, the cart provides a neat and attractive appearance. A short rod 45 extends between the post 36) and an end wall of the compartment 18 for supporting a selective number of hangers 46 that may be used for various hanging needs. The bottom of the round bottom tank 19 is provided with a valve 50 for permitting water to be drained out of the interior thereof.

In use, each of the aforementioned compartments, bins, and hanger devices may be used as required. The round bottom tank may be used to rinse or wash clothes, as well as for other laundry operations. A plurality of hangers are always available for use, as is the clothes umbrella 33, when needed.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a laundry cart having a rectangular frame supported upon wheels carried at each corner thereof for rolling movement along a surface, an upper shelf and a vertically spaced lower shelf integrally supported upon said frame, an intermediate shelf disposed substantially midway between said upper and lower shelves, an upwardly opening compartment supported upon said intermediate shelf and extending into flush engagement with said upper shelf, a door hingedly connected to said upper shelf for closing said compartment, and a longitudinally elongated storage tube extending diagonally through said intermediate shelf between said upper and lower shelves, and a closure member hingedly carried by the upper outer end of said longitudinally elongated storage tube movable between an open and a closed position relative thereto.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said compartment includes a round bottom storage tank and a plurality of diverse storage compartments.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 164,967 Brown June 29, 1875 214,271 Zundorif Apr. 15, 1879 506,756 Westphal Oct. 17, 1893 2,083,852 MeClanahan June 15, 1937 2,274,139 Goldthwait et a1. Feb. 24, 1942 H.111 u nnn ur na -Hummu- 

